Costa Rica's Coastal Secrets

Overview

Explore lesser-known habitats in search of astonishing animal encounters: sloths, sharks, monkeys and more

Discover Costa Rica’s greatest wildlife-watching secrets: the hidden animal hotspots of the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Led by an expert tour leader, we seek extraordinary encounters, including cruising the Tortuguero waterways in search of monkeys, caiman and birds, hiking Corcovado National Park while looking for sloths, scarlet macaws and more, and snorkelling with turtles, manta rays and sharks off Caño Island.

Highlights

Explore the lesser-visited wildlife hotspots on Costa Rica’s Caribbean and Pacific coastlines
Spend three nights in the remote coastal wilderness of Drake Bay, accessible by boat
Jump into the Pacific waters near Caño Island to snorkel with sharks, manta rays and turtles
Experience Corcovado National Park, said to be ‘the most biologically intense place on Earth’
Navigate the Tortuguero waterways in search of monkeys, caiman and more
Search for the notoriously shy resplendent quetzal in the Savegre Valley Cloud Forest

Key Information

Accommodation: 14 Classic nights (3 hotel, 11 lodge)
Travel by minibus and boat
Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
Green turtle nesting season: July to October

Included

All breakfasts, eight lunches and eight dinners
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Arrival and departure transfers

Not included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations

Itinerary

Show All

Day 1: Adventure starts in San José
Begin your adventure in San José, the culture-rich capital of Costa Rica. A complimentary transfer from the airport to the hotel is available. Check in and take it easy, there’s plenty of excitement on this trip, so today’s all about relaxing and easing ourselves into the adventure. Around 7.30pm, say hola to your tour leader and fellow travellers when we gather as a group for a short briefing and dinner together. Our main briefing takes place tomorrow afternoon in Tortuguero due to the late arrival of some flights today. Want to explore San Jose further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Accommodation: Presidente Hotel (or similar) Upgrade to a superior room today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Day 2: To Tortuguero National Park
Our adventure begins early this morning, leaving San Jose behind as we travel to Tortuguero National Park in northeast Costa Rica. Accessible only by boat or light aircraft, Tortuguero has a vast network of waterways, canals and swamps that are remarkably tranquil, unspoilt and devoid of noise pollution. On reaching the pier, we board a small motorboat for the journey to our lodge (up to 1hr 30min) , which is a short distance from the main lagoon. Please note the transfer from San José to Tortuguero is not private for our groups. This afternoon your tour leader will host the main welcome briefing when we gather as a group to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. We also visit Tortuguero village, where it’s possible to enter the Sea Turtle Museum (a donation is requested at the entrance). Tortuguero is probably most famous as a nesting site for the endangered green turtle, which can be seen coming ashore to lay eggs from late July to October (as part of an optional excursion). Hawksbill, loggerhead, and giant leatherback turtles also nest in this region, and from late August through to November, baby turtles hatch and make their way to the ocean. Today's travel time will be in the region of six hours including a stop for breakfast. Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge (or similar)
Day 3: Boat tour around Tortuguero waterways
This morning we board a small boat, enabling us to discover the extraordinary flora and fauna of Tortuguero as we pass serenely along the waterways. In the morning wildlife is usually at its most active and with the help of our expert guide we are likely to encounter monkeys, caiman, iguanas, butterflies and many of the 300-plus bird species recorded here. We’ll take a second boat trip this afternoon or you can relax at the lodge and enjoy the facilities. Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge (or similar)
Day 4: To Cahuita; relax on the Caribbean coast
We leave Tortuguero the same way we arrived, by taking a small boat to Siquirres pier. Our bus will be at the pier waiting to drive us to the Cahuita region on the Caribbean coast, where we check into our hotel. Caribbean culture pervades this part of Costa Rica and is reflected in the music, food and laid-back lifestyle. The white-sand beach here is fringed by tall palms, behind which is the dense, wet tropical forest of Cahuita National Park. Accommodation: Ciudad Perdida (or similar)
Day 5: Wildlife walk in Cahuita National Park
Cahuita National Park has 2,711 acres (1,097ha) of land and 600 acres (243ha) of coral reef, the largest reef system in Costa Rica. Today we visit the national park, taking a walk that follows the coastline through rainforest and past impressive Caribbean beaches. Although fairly small in size, there is plenty of diversity in the park. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the beach, join an optional snorkelling excursion (subject to local conditions) or simply relax. Accommodation: Ciudad Perdida (or similar)
Day 6: Free day in Cahuita
Today is yours to relax into the Caribbean pace of life and enjoy free time around Cahuita. It is possible to join an optional excursion to the indigenous communities of Kekoldi & Bri Bri Reserve, where you'll learn about the properties and uses of native plants, plus the process of making artisanal chocolate. Chocolate is very important in Bri Bri culture and used for purification rituals, food and medicine. During the excursion, there is also the opportunity for a refreshing swim at a waterfall. Accommodation: Ciudad Perdida (or similar)
Day 7: To Turrialba Valley; afternoon coffee tour
Our next destination is Turrialba Valley, a rich agricultural region in the Central Highlands. The topography of this region is mountainous, with waterfalls, rivers and caves – the varied elevation supports a wide range of plants (including orchids, bromeliads, lichens and mosses) and animals (including anteaters, ocelots and tapirs). In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour around Aquiares, one of the most prominent coffee estates in Costa Rica. Of course, you’ll learn about the coffee-making process and taste the final product, but the tour also reveals how the Aquiares team is putting a strong emphasis on sustainability by reducing their carbon footprint and supporting the local community. Accommodation: Villa Florencia (or similar) Upgrade to a superior room today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Day 8: Visit to CATIE research centre; to Savegre Valley Cloud Forest
After breakfast, we depart for CATIE (Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza), an international institute for agricultural development and biological conservation. Our visit includes a guided walk in the Dr Jorge León Arguedas Botanical Garden, during which we will see and learn about the approximately 400 different species that are observed and interpreted here, as well as receive an explanation of myriad exotic fruits that are found at the facility. After lunch, we continue to San Gerardo de Dota and Savegre Valley Cloud Forest. This is said to be one of the best places in Costa Rica to see the beautiful, colourful and notoriously shy resplendent quetzal and we have two nights here to discover the region. These endangered birds rely on the cloud forest for their habitat; the males are particularly striking with a green crest, red breast and tail feathers that can reach a metre in length. A good pair of binoculars will be helpful for quetzal spotting as these birds camouflage themselves well among the wet leaves. After lunch, we take a short walk into the cloud forest. Accommodation: Savegre Hotel, Nature Reserve & Spa or Trogon Lodge (or similar) Upgrade to a master-suite today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Day 9: Free day to discover walking trails in Savegre Valley
Today is free to relax and explore Savegre Valley. Bring your binoculars to spot some of the 170 bird species, trek through the tropical cloud forest or simply enjoy the incredible view from the lodge. Your leader will suggest walks for today so you can discover the tropical cloud forest and sub-Alpine vegetation of the area. Birds here include hummingbirds, woodpeckers tanagers and trogons, and if you are lucky tapirs and squirrel monkeys. Accommodation: Savegre Hotel, Nature Reserve & Spa or Trogon Lodge (or similar) Upgrade to a master-suite today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Day 10: To Sierpe; boat to Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula
Early in the morning, our journey continues towards the small town of Sierpe, where we board a small motorboat to Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula. Passing the huge mangrove swamps that line the Sierpe River, our boat crosses the ocean before arriving at Drake Bay. This region is very remote and with extremely limited road access, which means most supplies, visitors and locals, must arrive by boat. Getting here is part of the adventure. The bay is spectacular, with just a handful of lodges on the horizon and the rest thick verdant forest and rocky coves as far as the eye can see. Our next three nights will be spent at the Drake Bay Wilderness Resort, a family-run property close to the 'town' of Drake Bay and with ocean views from every corner. Accommodation: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort (or similar)
Day 11: Snorkelling near Caño Island and walk to secluded Cocalito Beach (December to August) OR walk the Trillo de la Danta (September to November)
December to August (drier months) This morning, we board a small boat towards Caño Island. During this 45-minute boat ride, there may be opportunities to spot migrating whales or playful dolphins (orca are occasionally spotted here between December to April and humpbacks might be seen in July and August). Marine life is the biggest highlight of this area, with hawksbill and olive ridley turtles, manta rays and white-tipped reef sharks just some of the likely encounters on today’s snorkelling excursion. This area has been rated as having some of the best snorkelling in Costa Rica, with a huge marine diversity living in the protected reef (visibility subject to weather conditions). On returning to Drake Bay, we enjoy lunch then embark on a 1mi (1.5km) walk to Cocalito Beach. Wildlife including iguanas, macaws and toucans are often spotted along the route, and elusive tapirs are also seen less frequently. There is time to rest on the golden sands and take in the secluded beauty of Cocalito before returning to the hotel. September to November (wetter months) Today we visit a community rural tourism project that has developed to protect the area's flora and fauna, and provide an economic benefit to the local people. We start the day with a short boat ride to the village of Drake Bay then take a 30-minute transfer to Finca Paz y Flora, home to many bird species who are attracted by the resplendent gardens. We walk on the Trillo de la Danta, or Tapir's Trail, within a primary tropical forest. Keep an eye out for collared peccaries, agouti, monkeys and shy tapirs. Towards the end of the walk, we reach a scenic waterfall where it's possible to cool off with a dip in the clear waters. We enjoy a traditional lunch served in banana leaves before returning to our hotel. Accommodation: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort (or similar)
Day 12: Boat trip to Corcovado National Park; discover the park on foot
When National Geographic describes an area as “the most biologically intense place on Earth,” it must be worthy of investigation. This morning, we board a small boat for a 30-minute journey to San Pedrillo Ranger Station, our entrance point to Corcovado National Park. This is undoubtedly the most secluded and tranquil region in Costa Rica. Protecting around one-third of the Osa Peninsula (some 164sqmi/425sqkm), Corcovado is the largest national park in Costa Rica and encompasses 13 major ecosystems across various elevations, with montane forest, cloud forest, fresh water and mangrove swamps among them. Scientists have recorded half of all the species in Costa Rica on this peninsula alone. On today's hike along the parks trails, we may see all four monkey species in Costa Rica (squirrel, howler, white-faced capuchin and spider), tamandua (anteaters), two- and three-toed sloths, peccary, tapirs (including the endangered Baird’s tapir) and many reptiles, insects and amphibians. Puma and jaguar also prowl this area, but are very difficult to see. With more than 500 tree species, the bird count stands at an impressive 365 and the park protects the largest population of scarlet macaws in the country, which can frequently be seen and heard flying overhead. In October, when the national park is closed, we typically visit El Camino de la Danta, a wildlife-rich trail home to white-faced monkeys, scarlet macaws, toucans and more. Accommodation: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort (or similar)
Day 13: Mangrove boat trip; to Sierpe; to San José
After an early breakfast, we board another boat and return to Sierpe town. On the way, our boat will take a short tour of the huge mangrove forest that lines the Sierpe River. Delving into the network of tributary rivers and streams offers a chance to learn more about the role of mangroves in the ecosystem and the numerous creatures that depend on them, including fish, crabs, birds, molluscs and shellfish. In Sierpe town, we transfer to our private minibus and commence our journey to San José. Accommodation: Presidente Hotel (or similar) Upgrade to a superior room today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Day 14: Visit the Irazu Volcano National Park; San José highlights tour
Begin with a trip to Irazu Volcano National Park in the Cartago province, located within the Central Mountain Range around a 90-minute journey from San José. Passing different vegetation, we drive towards the summit and then follow a path that leads to a wonderful view across the huge crater. Irazu is one of the most active volcanoes in Costa Rica, though it has recently entered a dormant phase – a relief to the farmers and property owners who make their living on the fertile slopes. On a clear day, you can see both the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines from the summit. Remember to bring a jacket as it can be windy and cold at the viewpoint of this elevation (Irazu summit is 11,260ft/3,432m high). After, we continue to Cartago city, home to a spectacular domed basilica, where we have lunch. It’s then back to San José, where we visit Avenida Central and explore the main city highlights. We stop at the Central Market, a lively and traditional space where you can find a variety of local goods, including souvenirs, handicrafts, coffee, and typical Costa Rican snacks – a great spot to pick up gifts. Accommodation: Presidente Hotel (or similar) Upgrade to a superior room today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Day 15: End San José
Our adventure comes to an end today after breakfast and it's time to bid Costa Rica and the rest of the group goodbye. If you aren’t quite ready to leave, speak to your sales representative about extending your adventure – relax on the beach, treat yourself to some spa time, or discover more nature. To ensure total relaxation, you can stay for as many nights as you wish in a range of hotels, and we’ll organise airport transfers in either direction for you.

Important Information

The trip destination

Accommodation: 14 Classic nights (3 hotel, 11 lodge)
Travel by minibus and boat
Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
Green turtle nesting season: July to October

Food

Hotel breakfasts are normally buffets, and lunches and dinners at Tortuguero are also buffets. Vegetarian and vegan options are limited but food is plentiful and tasty – please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests. Costa Rican specialities include gallo pinto, a black bean and rice dish, which is a staple part of the local diet. Soups and stews are also common, and fresh fruit is abundant and will no doubt be one of the highlights of your time in the tropics.

Weather

Costa Rica is 10 degrees north of the equator and has a tropical climate. The average annual temperature is around 26C (79F) in the lowlands and 10C (50F) in the highest mountain regions. However, it’s essential you prepare for the time of year in which your departure takes place.

Dry season (December to April): This is the driest period of the year and can get incredibly hot; on the Pacific side, temperatures may exceed 37C (98F). If passing through areas of dry tropical forest it can be hot, dusty and dry. Prepare for some rain even during this time of year.

Rainy season (May to November): Expect daily downpours, although these are usually quite short and there is still plenty of sunshine. Typically, there are sunny conditions until approximately 1pm-2pm and then a build-up of cloud from around 3pm, resulting in late afternoon rain (most likely showers between 3pm-5pm). Usually, the sky clears by 6pm.

Is this trip for you?

This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate) with a Wildlife Rating of Four. Visit our Wildlife Holidays page for more on our Wildlife Ratings. For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

Driving: Most of the roads we travel on are good quality. However, the road that leads to the river on the way to and from Tortuguero has a poor surface and this can result in slow driving times, particularly following heavy rain. There are also some longer drives on the itinerary; when rest stops and meal breaks are taken into account, a four-hour drive may take six to seven hours in total. Drake Bay and Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula are two of the most remote areas we visit on this itinerary – there is very limited road access or facilities in these areas and we will use boats as the main form of transportation.

Walks: There are several included and optional walks on the itinerary that occasionally involve walking on rough paths. These are suitable for most fitness levels and usually last between two to four hours. Walks in the Savegre Valley are at an altitude above 7,000ft (2,100m) and involve some short but steep sections of ascent and descent. During times of heavy rain, trails can be muddy and slippery and extra care should be taken. Many of the areas visited on the trip are hot and humid (such as Cahuita National Park on days 4-6) and there is the chance of heavy rain year-round – this is why Costa Rica is so green.

Swimming: The sea waters in the Tortuguero and Cahuita regions have very strong rip currents and are not suitable for swimming from the beach.

Prices / Dates

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sdsd AVAILABLE DATES	PRICE (1 ADULT)	PRICE (1 CHILDREN)	Single room supplement	TRAVEL STATUS
Sat, 28 Mar 2026 / Sat, 11 Apr 2026	NOK 64 510 NOK 51 605	On request	NOK 14 855	Available
Sat, 04 Apr 2026 / Sat, 18 Apr 2026	NOK 64 510 NOK 61 280	On request	Not available	Available
Sat, 23 May 2026 / Sat, 06 Jun 2026	NOK 61 820	On request	NOK 13 780	Available
Sat, 20 Jun 2026 / Sat, 04 Jul 2026	NOK 61 820 NOK 58 730	On request	NOK 13 780	Available
Sat, 11 Jul 2026 / Sat, 25 Jul 2026	NOK 63 165 NOK 60 070	On request	NOK 13 375	Available
Sat, 08 Aug 2026 / Sat, 22 Aug 2026	NOK 63 165 NOK 50 530	On request	NOK 13 375	Available
Sat, 12 Sep 2026 / Sat, 26 Sep 2026	NOK 61 820 NOK 58 730	On request	NOK 13 780	Available
Sat, 31 Oct 2026 / Sat, 14 Nov 2026	NOK 61 820	On request	NOK 13 780	Available
Sat, 14 Nov 2026 / Sat, 28 Nov 2026	NOK 65 180	On request	NOK 13 845	Available
Sat, 21 Nov 2026 / Sat, 05 Dec 2026	NOK 59 130	On request	Not available	Available
Sat, 28 Nov 2026 / Sat, 12 Dec 2026	NOK 65 180	On request	NOK 13 845	Available
Sat, 02 Jan 2027 / Sat, 16 Jan 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 855	Available
Sat, 16 Jan 2027 / Sat, 30 Jan 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 855	Available
Sat, 23 Jan 2027 / Sat, 06 Feb 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 855	Available
Sat, 06 Feb 2027 / Sat, 20 Feb 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 855	Available
Sat, 20 Feb 2027 / Sat, 06 Mar 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 855	Available
Sat, 27 Feb 2027 / Sat, 13 Mar 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 855	Available
Sat, 06 Mar 2027 / Sat, 20 Mar 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 855	Available
Sat, 13 Mar 2027 / Sat, 27 Mar 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 855	Available
Sat, 20 Mar 2027 / Sat, 03 Apr 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 855	Available
Sat, 03 Apr 2027 / Sat, 17 Apr 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 855	Available
Sat, 08 May 2027 / Sat, 22 May 2027	NOK 67 195	On request	NOK 14 045	Available
Sat, 12 Jun 2027 / Sat, 26 Jun 2027	NOK 67 195	On request	NOK 14 045	Available
Sat, 10 Jul 2027 / Sat, 24 Jul 2027	NOK 67 195	On request	NOK 14 045	Available
Sat, 07 Aug 2027 / Sat, 21 Aug 2027	NOK 67 195	On request	NOK 14 045	Available
Sat, 18 Sep 2027 / Sat, 02 Oct 2027	NOK 67 195	On request	NOK 14 045	Available
Sat, 06 Nov 2027 / Sat, 20 Nov 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 585	Available
Sat, 13 Nov 2027 / Sat, 27 Nov 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 585	Available
Sat, 27 Nov 2027 / Sat, 11 Dec 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 585	Available

AVAILABLE DATES	PRICE (1 ADULT)	PRICE (1 CHILDREN)	SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT	TRAVEL STATUS
Sat, 28 Mar 2026 / Sat, 11 Apr 2026	NOK 64 510 NOK 51 605	On request	NOK 14 855	On request
Sat, 04 Apr 2026 / Sat, 18 Apr 2026	NOK 64 510 NOK 61 280	On request	Not available	On request
Sat, 23 May 2026 / Sat, 06 Jun 2026	NOK 61 820	On request	NOK 13 780	On request
Sat, 20 Jun 2026 / Sat, 04 Jul 2026	NOK 61 820 NOK 58 730	On request	NOK 13 780	On request
Sat, 11 Jul 2026 / Sat, 25 Jul 2026	NOK 63 165 NOK 60 070	On request	NOK 13 375	On request
Sat, 08 Aug 2026 / Sat, 22 Aug 2026	NOK 63 165 NOK 50 530	On request	NOK 13 375	On request
Sat, 12 Sep 2026 / Sat, 26 Sep 2026	NOK 61 820 NOK 58 730	On request	NOK 13 780	On request
Sat, 31 Oct 2026 / Sat, 14 Nov 2026	NOK 61 820	On request	NOK 13 780	On request
Sat, 14 Nov 2026 / Sat, 28 Nov 2026	NOK 65 180	On request	NOK 13 845	On request
Sat, 21 Nov 2026 / Sat, 05 Dec 2026	NOK 59 130	On request	Not available	On request
Sat, 28 Nov 2026 / Sat, 12 Dec 2026	NOK 65 180	On request	NOK 13 845	On request
Sat, 02 Jan 2027 / Sat, 16 Jan 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 855	On request
Sat, 16 Jan 2027 / Sat, 30 Jan 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 855	On request
Sat, 23 Jan 2027 / Sat, 06 Feb 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 855	On request
Sat, 06 Feb 2027 / Sat, 20 Feb 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 855	On request
Sat, 20 Feb 2027 / Sat, 06 Mar 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 855	On request
Sat, 27 Feb 2027 / Sat, 13 Mar 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 855	On request
Sat, 06 Mar 2027 / Sat, 20 Mar 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 855	On request
Sat, 13 Mar 2027 / Sat, 27 Mar 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 855	On request
Sat, 20 Mar 2027 / Sat, 03 Apr 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 855	On request
Sat, 03 Apr 2027 / Sat, 17 Apr 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 855	On request
Sat, 08 May 2027 / Sat, 22 May 2027	NOK 67 195	On request	NOK 14 045	On request
Sat, 12 Jun 2027 / Sat, 26 Jun 2027	NOK 67 195	On request	NOK 14 045	On request
Sat, 10 Jul 2027 / Sat, 24 Jul 2027	NOK 67 195	On request	NOK 14 045	On request
Sat, 07 Aug 2027 / Sat, 21 Aug 2027	NOK 67 195	On request	NOK 14 045	On request
Sat, 18 Sep 2027 / Sat, 02 Oct 2027	NOK 67 195	On request	NOK 14 045	On request
Sat, 06 Nov 2027 / Sat, 20 Nov 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 585	On request
Sat, 13 Nov 2027 / Sat, 27 Nov 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 585	On request
Sat, 27 Nov 2027 / Sat, 11 Dec 2027	NOK 69 885	On request	NOK 14 585	On request

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Costa Rica's Coastal Secrets

Overview

Itinerary

Photos

Important Information

Prices / Dates